Performance Review: Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volkswagen-VW Touareg Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Volkswagen-VW Touareg has a 4921cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Diesel V10's includes the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.9 V10

The Touareg shares its Diesel V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2002 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.9 V10 and the If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Touareg's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2602 kgs (5736 lbs) this makes the Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 in the same weight category as the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Volkswagen-VW Touareg shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 4921cc 20V V10 engine produces 345 bhp (257 kW) @ 3500 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Turbo V10 throws out 627 lb-ft (850.0 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (650 lb-ft) or the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (625 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volkswagen-VW Touareg you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo 2.0 (157.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volkswagen-VW Touareg.

The Volkswagen-VW Touareg has a Power to weight ratio of 132.5 bhp per ton and 240.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 Touareg competing with the 1973 BMW 2002 Turbo 2.0 (157.5 bhp per ton) or the 1992 BMW 7 Series 740i E32 (157.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volkswagen-VW Touareg generating around 240.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2010 Subaru Impreza STI CS 400 - Cosworth - Hatch (265.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (265.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.9 secs, this made the Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 as fast as the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (6.70 secs) the 2017 Maserati Levante 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.70 secs) the 2012 Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati 1.4 Turbo (6.70 secs) the or the 2012 Dodge Charger SXT Blacktop 3.6L V6 (6.70 secs). This Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 is also faster than the 2017 Dodge Charger SXT AWD 3.7 V6 (6.80 secs) the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (6.80 secs) the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Countrman (6.80 secs) the and the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (6.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Touareg and the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Volkswagen-VW Touareg on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.5 secs @ 88.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Audi A3 S3 1.8T Quattro (15.43 secs), the 1991 Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v (15.43 secs), and the 1969 Mercury Marauder X-100 (15.43 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 Touareg equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Volkswagen-VW Touareg R50 4.9 V10 then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2008 Touareg Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volkswagen-VW

Car Comparison